CHICO &GT;&GT; Summertime means hiking, biking, swimming and picnicking with friends and family as you enjoy the warm weather, but first one must be aware of the dangers that can come with summer fun if proper precautions aren't taken.

Lynda Gomes, clinical educator at Enloe Medical Center, said as people are out for summer activities such as swimming or riding an all-terrain vehicle, they don't always take the proper safety steps and end up in the trauma center after a major accident.

"This is our busy season for traumas," Gomes said noting that with the longer days, people take advantage of the time to be out to enjoy activities.

She said she has seen a number of boating and ATV accidents. A "majority of our accidents have alcohol in play," Gomes said, referring to cases where people are involved in a motor accident such as drinking and riding an ATV or drinking and boating or rafting. One can lose control of the situation when intoxicated.

Along with activity related accidents, Gomes said she has seen a number of rattlesnake bite victims, and though most are dry bites where venom is not released, one must be aware and take action and seek treatment when bitten.

Jim Clark, division chief-operations for Butte County Emergency Medical Services, said the most common cause of injury with hot weather is dehydration. "People don't realize you need to drink between 8 and 32 ounces of water per hour to deal with preventing dehydration during 100 degree heat," Clark said. He noted that simply checking your smartphone and being informed about weather conditions for the day can prevent you from becoming overheated or dehydrated if you bring water while you are out.

Severe drought conditions this year have also resulted in low water levels throughout the county, and Clark suggested that swimmers should not assume that waters are the same as previous visits. "You can jump in the same swimming holes and it's not the same as last year, so know where you are going."

Gomes said that all swimmers should wear life vests. "My biggest thing is even the most experienced swimmers can drown, we see it in the ocean at all time."

She said it is good for people to swim in groups or have at least one person that is dedicated to watch while others are swimming because it doesn't take long for someone to be pulled under the current.

Along with water, Gomes recommended bringing hats and sunscreen while out enjoying summer fun. Clark also suggested having a fully stocked and updated first-aid kit as well.